Haze affects Labuan Bajo and Flores as officials rule out volcanic ash

Labuan Bajo — Haze appeared in Labuan Bajo and much of Flores on Tuesday, 29 September 2026, and continued on Wednesday, 30 September, according to the head of Komodo Meteorological Station.

Why it matters: Visitors and residents in Labuan Bajo and Flores experienced reduced visibility, while officials reported that the haze was not volcanic ash and had not disrupted airport operations.

Maria Patricia Christin Seran said the phenomenon was haze rather than volcanic ash. She attributed the reduced clarity to a temperature inversion identified in upper-air observations by the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency’s Maumere station.

The inversion made the atmosphere more stable and reduced vertical air mixing. As a result, water vapour, aerosols, dust and other particles near the surface remained trapped in lower atmospheric layers, making visibility appear reduced and the air look veiled.

The haze was reported across most of Flores, including Labuan Bajo in West Manggarai. Residents initially suspected volcanic ash, but the meteorological station’s assessment identified the condition as haze.

Marwa, public-relations representative for Komodo International Airport, said the phenomenon had not affected airport operations as of Wednesday. Detik Bali also reported no disruption to tourist shipping in the area.

BMKG’s maritime forecast for the Flores Strait recorded fog conditions from midnight on 30 September, while a local forecast reported the possibility of fog or haze in Wae Belang, Ruteng, on the same date. These forecasts provide additional context for reduced visibility in parts of Flores.

Sources

• Detik Bali
• BMKG